An almost-Death Metal-trac, “One Minute” is a collaboration between late rapper XXXTentacion and Kanye West. X released his third studio album and first posthumous album ‘SKINS’ on December 7, 2018, a few months after the rapper’s fatal shooting in Florida.
Since the rapper’s death, there were a few more songs released up until the album release. We got to listen to “Moonlight,” “BAD!” and “Arms Around You” which were released under the approval of X’s mother Cleopatra Bernard. She also accepted the award for ‘Best New Hip Hop Artist’ at 2018 BET Hip Hop Awards.
Much like “Guardian Angel” also from ‘SKINS’ album, “One Minute” also speaks about death, pain, envy and depression. But Kanye West peforms the only verse on this song, whereas XXXTentacion appears on the chorus and the interlude.
Listen to “One Minute” by XXXTentacion and Kanye West
Download “One Minute” Song on iTunes and Amazon
Buy ‘SKINS’ Album on iTunes and Amazon
Lyrics Review and Song Meaning of “One Minute”
Verse
The only verse on “One Minute” is performed in fully by Kanye West.
Kanye West talks about the hate he is receiving on a daily basis for voicing his opinions. He has been a nonstop source of controversial entertainment. His ideas on Donald Trump, crude lyrics, naked Taylor Swift in “Famous” music video, controversial feud with Taylor Swift since 2007, his ideas on slavery, are some to name. He believes he has a right to voice his opinions. Ye also accepts the fact that no matter how much good you do, you will only be publicized for your mistakes. Kanye West is a multi-millionaire entrepreneur, record producer, lyricist, fashion icon and engages in charity. However, he realizes that he will forever be branded as that one
Kanye West also reflects on the time he suffered a near-death car accident in 2002. He is said to have shattered a jaw and had to undergo reconstructive surgery on his face. Ye asks X to hold the gates, referring to the pearly gates of heaven, for him if something like that happens again.
Mr. West also says that he says and does what he does out of a good heart. Most often, he is misunderstood and misinterpreted by everyone which makes him look the villain. However, all this hate, criticism and talk back has made Kanye the man he is today and he would not have it any other way.
Kanye might also be talking about the legal feud XXXTentacion had with his ex-girlfriend Geneva Ayala in his verse in “One Minute.” Ye says that she came behind him when he was famous, pleasuring him sexually. ‘Famous Amos’ is also a popular cookie brand. However, their breakup paved the way for a domesitc violence case against X. When the plaintiff usually comes up with a claim of such, the society naturally tends to take their side and immediately puts up a filter of guilt infront of the defendant. Kanye might be saying that there are two sides to this story.
Chorus
The chorus performed by XXXTentacion is a high-pitched cry of ‘one minute’ in recurrence. He talks about how time slips away and how he will make use of the next. The repetition of the same lines over and over could be an indication that he has lost so much of time-minute-by-minute, without achieving much. He is determined to make use of the next, but that minute has also passed away now.
Another popular opinion is that he is counting the minutes towards his death. A minute passed, and another, but he is still alive, and he is hoping the next one would be his fatal minute-until is did on June 18, 2018.
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